10 Things I Use in My Everyday Life that are More Eco-Friendly

Well, I’m sure you know by now that I am not just wedding planner, but I am an environmental advocate. What better way to save the planet than starting with the super wasteful wedding industry? Don’t get me wrong, I love gorgeous details, I love amazing food, and I love a room full of happy people focused on two people IN LOVE. The only thing I don’t love is the waste left behind at the end of the night. The average wedding produces 400 - 600 POUNDS of waste. Are you making a shocked face? Because I am. Weddings are happening every weekend all over the world, multiply that by 400. Yikes. That’s a lot of waste. I’ll get into things you can do to make your wedding more sustainable, but today I am sharing the small, simple things I’ve swapped out at home to make for a more eco-friendly household. These are the little things that we don’t think about, but make a HUGE difference. Check out the list below and consider these for your own household. I’ve even provided links to my personal faves!

+ Bamboo Toothbrushes - I got these guys on Amazon, where I probably spend too much of my time and money, but they’re not available in stores near me. Bamboo is an extremely sustainable product. It grows quickly and is completely biodegradable. These come in a family pack - 3 big ones with hard bristles, 3 medium ones with soft bristles, and 3 small ones with soft bristles. Perfect for my family of 3! Brent likes his bristles harder, while I am more sensitive and prefer softer.

+ Homemade Toothpaste - Find the recipe I used here. I found it via Pinterest, where there tons of other recipes. I liked this one because it’s easy, doesn’t really have an expiration date, and there are ingredients that are optional so if you don’t have them on hand, that’s okay! I used an old jelly jar leftover from some of my grandma’s homemade raspberry goodness. You can buy re-usable silicone tubes or just find an old jar.

+ Earth ConsciousPlastic, Chemical, and Cruelty Free Deodorant - Don’t even mess around. This deodorant is the bomb. It’s $8 a tube and totally worth every penny. It actually works. I have the lavender scent and it’s AMAZING. It feels The packaging is completely plastic free.

+ Ethique Bar Shampoo and Conditioner - They make everything! They have bar shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body soap, deodorant, and so much more. They are vegan, plastic-free, cruelty free, sustainable, and just pure wonderful.

+ Travel Utensils & Glass Straw - There are a ton of great options. You can even take a set from your kitchen drawer, no need to buy a fancy set. I wanted a set that came with a travel case and we are always short on something in the drawer, so I didn’t want to risk losing another spoon. I got this set, but there are full on bamboo sets, stainless steel sets, and more. I also bought a set of glass straws and I pop one in with my utensils. I think most of us have seen the video of the straw being extracted from the turtle’s nose. If that doesn’t change your mind about plastic straws, I don’t know what will. I chose glass because it’s clear and dishwasher safe so I can see if anything is stuck in it or if it’s got mold or some other weird substance in there. There are so many good options from silicone to stainless steel, as long as it’s reusable and you’re using it, it’s GREAT!

+ Reusable Shopping Bags - Plastic bags are the worst. Even Katy Perry sings about a plastic bag just floating around. Have you ever been on the 20th floor of an apartment building and see a bag drift by your lanai? I have. It’s strange. And you know where it probably ended up? The ocean. You can literally get these reusable bags anywhere. They are in just about every check out in every store. If they’re not, you’re shopping at the wrong place.

+ Reusable Silicone Ziplock Bags - LOVE. They are dishwasher safe, freezer safe, and have a water tight seal. Ban plastic ziplocks from your life and get these guys instead.

+ Homemade Face Scrub - My high school bestie sells essential oils and made me the most amazing face scrub. I want to eat it. I haven’t made it myself yet, but a simple Google search gave me a plethora of super simple options made from ingredients most people already have in their house. I would personally avoid the honey one because #savethebees but here you go! Use a mason jar or old sauce jar or resusable tin, even a tupperware will work!

+ Electric Shaver and Epilator - You could just give up shaving or opt for laser hair removal. I seriously hate shaving so much, I’ve considered both of these options. But I just can’t “let it grow, let it grow” (insert Elsa tune, I know, lame mom jokes, whatevs). And I’m not sure I can afford laser. Maybe the first round, but I guess it takes several and I’m just not prepared for that. Disposable razors are terrible for the planet. (See photo above). They will last forever, never breaking down, and if you’re doing things “right” you’re probably tossing one out every two weeks or so. Enter the electric razor and epilator. Let me tell you, the epilator freaking HURTS. If you’re brave, go for it. It’s like waxing a single hair at a time, but it grows back much less quickly so there’s that. It’s a two in one miracle machine and I stick to the razor. It doesn’t get as close to the skin as a razor, so no nicks and cuts, but it’s not as silky smooth. I’m totally okay with that because I know I’m not tossing a razor every month. Get the Braun Shaver and Epilator on Amazon or in most stores!

+ Collapsible Travel Cup - I really don’t like going somewhere and realizing I’d love a sip of that, but plastic cups are the weapon of choice. I’ve decided to step up my travel utensil game with a collapsible cup! It’s super handy, especially if you have pets or kids. They come in a four pack so you can get one for the whole family. Also great for camping! Check ‘em out here on Amazon.

BONUS:

+ Reusable Coffee Cups and Water Bottle - I love Contigo’s Autoseal travel mugs. I can throw it in my bag without fear of it leaking all over the place. It’s my all time favorite and I take it with me to Starbucks all the time. They are more than happy to fill it and you even get a discount for bringing your own cup! The downfall of this cup is that it stays super hot so if you’re like me, you’ll want to ask for ice or leave the lid off for a while. As for water bottles, I have a million different kinds made of different materials. I’m a straight up water-aholic, so I have one with me everywhere I go. I need a fairly large one, no less than a liter, preferably, because I will drink it too fast. I have a Camelbak with a built in straw that I like when I’m driving or doing something that requires at least one hand. Taking a lid off while driving can be messy and trying to drink out of a giant jug without a straw could leave you sopping wet. I like my camelBak but when it gets warm, water shoots out of the top and causes a mess, so it’s not my favorite, but the best I’ve found. I take a GIANT hydroflask with me to every event I do, in addition to my personal bottle and use it to refill or drink from it when I don’t have time to refill. Hydroflask is amazing and I would highly suggest it to anyone! It stays cold all day long! The one thing I would say is that the metal gets hot on the outside so don’t leave it in a hot car.

Thanks for listening! If you have any questions about these products or recommendations for others, shoot me an email! I’d love to hear from you! kayla@pineappleunion.com